Many campervan converters have come and gone over the years, in this very competitive market. But Leisuredrive is not a new name in this specialist sector: the company was founded back in 1969 (and was then known as Carahome).
The Leisuredrive name came about in the early 1980s, when the firm rebranded and moved to its current premises near Bolton.
Leisuredrive mainly uses VW as a base vehicle. The Leisuredrive Renoir, however, has always been based on the Renault Trafic, and this year’s model is on the new generation Trafic Sport. The price starts from £58,750, but it’s £64,678 as reviewed here.
Something that the best campervan will always do is ride well, and that’s certainly the case with this model. Those who are new to owning a campervan can feel confident with the rather car-like driving experience.
The cab is a much more upmarket affair than Renaults of old and feels very well made.
Sat nav and a six-speed manual gearbox come as standard. Automatic transmission is an option. With cab air-con and Bluetooth radio, this campervan is well specified.
The exterior is finished in a very understated grey (like much of the interior), and you have the choice of either a raising-roof or a high-top. It looks very smart, with subtle side decals and alloy wheels.
The mains socket is well-placed on the offside. There is also a 23-litre on-board fresh-water tank, with an exterior outlet for waste water.
Inside, the Renoir’s lounge area is comfortable, with a forward-facing bench seat with seatbelts and a side settee to add to the swivelled cab seats. They all group around a pedestal table, which can be stowed away in its own slot at the rear of the side settee.
LED lighting is provided, and there is a useful mains socket by the sliding door, which is ideal for a small portable fan heater if you decide not to add the optional diesel heating.
All of the windows have curtains, including the sliding window.
As with many campers, the Renoir comes with the option of a roof bed. Downstairs, you have the choice of two singles or a 6ft x 4ft double bed. Both options will no doubt provide
an extremely comfortable night’s sleep.
The two single beds are easy to make up, using the cab seats. The double requires the use of infill cushions between the seating.
The kitchen in the rear nearside corner has a side window that allows in plenty of natural light, while LED lighting also helps at night.
Glass tops cover up the Dometic combined hob and sink, but the sink is supplied with cold water only as standard. A combined grill and oven is fitted as standard, although you can have a microwave as an option instead. With both lids down, worktop space is good, especially as there is potentially more available across the aisle, thanks to a cupboard that houses the Thetford electric-flush toilet.
The Waeco compressor fridge/freezer is large enough to store food for two on a weekend trip, but it could be rather overstretched for longer stays at a campervan campsite.
The main control panel is also in the kitchen, next to twin mains sockets and USB ports. The lighting and water pump switches are all accessed here.
There is, of course, no washroom as such. You have to open one of the rear doors to empty the toilet cassette or replenish the water tank. Some might prefer an external cassette hatch.
Storage is good, and clever design makes the most of the space available. The wardrobe is above the fridge, but it hasn’t got much hanging space.
The kitchen comes with a cupboard and three handy lipped shelves at the back all neatly fitted. There is also a shallow cupboard under the control panel, which holds a wine rack.
Verdict on the Leisuredrive Renoir
This campervan offers sensible design from a company with years of experience. Adding heating as standard could be a good move, but at this price, buyers might not worry
too much about it being a cost option. Leisuredrive offers several different interior finishes, but the grey colour scheme in our test model is proving a popular choice with customers. The Renoir remains a worthy member of the Leisuredrive line-up.
Or you could try…
- Campaway Casa: there’s a lot packed into this innovative camper, including toilet.
- S&L Apollo: this is a well-planned two-berth, with plenty of attention to detail.
- Wellhouse Misano 4.1: this ‘van has a superb level of spec packed into its Ford Transit base vehicle.
Technical spec of Leisuredrive Renoir
- Price: From £58,750 (£64,678 as reviewed)
- Sleeps: Up to 4 Belts 4
- Base Renault: Trafic Sport
- Engine: 2.3-litre 130bhp turbodiesel with six-speed manual transmission
- Length/width/height: 5.30/1.90/2.01m (17’4”/6’2”/6’6”)
- MTPLM: 2740kg
- MiRO: 2111kg
- Payload: 629kg
- Water: 23 litres (fresh)
- Leisure battery: 75Ah
- Gas: 2 x 907 Campingaz
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Technical Specifications
Berth | 4 |
MiRO | 2111 kg |
Payload | 629 kg |
MTPLM | 2740 kg |
Shipping Length | 5.30 m |
Width | 1.90 m |
Engine Size | 2300 cc |